10 reasons why Athens is Europe's coolest new city break destination

Ancient history is Europe's tourism trump card, so why is it that the most ancient city in the Continent has been so overlooked? Compared to the likes of Paris, Rome and Barcelona, Athens has paled in popularity, until now. 

Athens is fast-becoming the destination of choice for a wave of savvy millennial travellers looking for a sun-drenched city break with a difference. If you dare to see beyond Greece's economically turbulent time, you will be rewarded endlessly.

Welcome to Athens: a place where ancient monuments stand beside hipster coffee joints and rooftop bars. 

Here are 10 reasons why Athens is trending as a city break destination right now:

1. The Acropolis

The rugged and iconic citadel of The Acropolis dramatically towers above Athens, ensuring part of the city remains perfectly frozen in time. The mind-boggling history of The Acropolis dates back to 447 BC but even if you're not that into the facts, it's worth coming up here for the breath-taking 360 degree views of Athens. It will be worth it for the 'gram. 

2. The Coffee Culture

A 'freddo' coffee (The Travelista)

Coffee culture is rife in Athens. Young creatives and business minds flock to the most on-trend establishments in the city such as Tailormade, Spollati or Six d.o.g.s, where outdoor tables are hot property. If you're lucky enough to get one, pull up a pew, order yourself a 'freddo' coffee and prepare to watch the catwalk of passers by.  

3. The Rooftop Bars

Scattered throughout the city, the rooftop bars of Athens are hard to find. Often hidden away and terribly signposted, each one feels like a secret society for people in-the-know. They're buzzing morning, noon and night and depending on what time you go you'll get a different perspective of the Acropolis and the white washed city below. Head to Couleur Locale for the ultimate secret scene or go to The Roof Garden at The Electra Metropolis to watch an incredibly chic sunset.

The Roof Garden at The Electra Metropolis (The Travelista)

4. Anafiotika

Until recent years the sleepy hillside village of Anafiotika went by unnoticed by tourists, but now the secret is out. Located just below The Acropolis hill, this tiny village is more reminiscent of a rural Greek island than a capital city. Get lost amongst the labyrinth of narrow alleyways that connect the whitewashed houses.

The top 25 cheapest city breaks in Europe 5. The Greek Food

One thing that remains timeless about Athens is the food. The quality and produce of Greek food in Athens is just as high as on the islands. Feast on succulent souvlakis, fresh seafood, mouth-watering mezzes, baked moussakka and tomatoes that taste ten times more delicious than in London. 

A Greek salad (The Travelista)

6. The Price 

Greece's financial crisis has kept the prices of food, drink and alcohol extremely competitive, meaning you'll be pleasantly surprised when the bill comes. Local wines are very cheap and equally as delicious as their imported counterparts. 

7. The Sunshine

Athens is drenched in sun for the majority of the year, and even if you travel in January you can expect highs of 10 degrees. The optimum time to travel is between March and May, when the skies will be blue and the breeze will be balmy. Whatever time of year you travel, you're likely to see skies as blue as the Greek flag. 

8. The Boutique Hotels 

Athens is catering to its ever-growing influx of trendy travellers with a handful of boutique design hotels. The New Hotel is as boutique as they come and attracts an artistic crowd. Conveniently located between Syntagma Square and the Old Town of Plaka, it's an ideal city break base. 

9. The Flea Market 

The saying that 'one man's trash is another man's treasure' certainly rings true in Athens' Flea Market. This fascinating complex of stalls sells objects that are weird, wonderful and downright bizarre. Prepare to channel your inner David Dickinson and put your negotiation skills to the test.

10. The Old Town of Plaka

Plaka is Athens' Old Town and easily the most picturesque neighbourhood. Imagine cobbled streets, historical architecture, sun-drenched piazzas and restaurants with white and blue tablecloths. Andrianou is the main shopping street in Plaka and is lined with boutique stalls and souvenir shops. Venture to the end of this street and you'll find a strip of great restaurants too.

Jess Gibson is a UK luxury travel influencer and The Editor of award-winning travel blog The Travelista. Follow her travels on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

For more information on Greece, visit DiscoverGreece.com

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Source: 10 reasons why Athens is Europe's coolest new city break destination

Ryanair launches a Brexit sale with flights to Europe from £9.99

After Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary said the impact of Brexit could leave us at risk of having no flights to or from Europe from the UK, the low-budget airline is attempting to cheer up holidaymakers by having a Brexit flash sale.

The sale, named the "Article 50 special", has seats on offer from £9.99 one-way on 50 routes from the UK to Europe.

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The cheap flights depart from a number of airports across the UK, including London Stanstead, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol and the choice of destinations includes a mix of beach resorts and city breaks. The one-way ticket prices get closer to £30 on certain routes, but it's safe to say a flight to Marrakech for £27.89 is still a bargain.

Menara gardens, Marrakech

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If it sounds too good to be true, there is a catch. You must be able to travel this spring and if you want to make the most of the deal, you'll have to get your skates on. Flights must be booked by midnight on Thursday 30 March.

"The countdown to Brexit has begun and we've launched an Article 50 special with seats on 50 UK routes on sale for just £9.99, for travel in April and May," Ryanair's head of communications," Robin Kiely, said in a statement.

"This amazing offer will end at midnight (Thursday) so customers should log on quickly and plan their own exit from the UK today."

Ryanair has been a prominent opponent of Brexit and CEO O'Leary has recently expressed his concern over Europe's 'Open Skies' system, which was set up by the European Union in 2007 and allows any EU or US airline to fly between any point in the Union or the United States.

"With the UK set to leave Europe's 'Open Skies' system, the UK Government will either have to negotiate a bilateral agreement with the EU to allow flights to/from Europe to continue, or else revert to historical WTO [World Trade Organisation] rules, which do not cover aviation, thereby raising the distinct possibility of no flights between Europe and the UK for a period from March 2019 in the absence of a bilateral deal," O'Leary said in a statement, Business Insider reports.

Brexit is already making our chocolate more expensive. Fingers crossed, it doesn't cause havoc within the travel industry, too.

Source: Ryanair launches a Brexit sale with flights to Europe from £9.99

Article 50 was designed for European dictators, not the UK, says man who wrote it

Article 50 was designed to be used by a dictatorial regime not the UK government, according the man who wrote it.

As Theresa May wrote to European leaders to trigger the Brexit process, Lord John Kerr, the former UK diplomat who drafted the rules on how a country can leave the European Union (EU), said he never believed Britain would use the mechanism he helped to create. 

Lord Kerr was Secretary General of the European Convention in the early 2000s, when he played a key role in drafting a constitutional treaty for the EU that included laws on the process by which states can leave the union. 

He had previously spent a long career at the Foreign Office, including a spell as Britain's ambassador to the US.

"I don't feel guilty about inventing the mechanism," he told Politico. "I feel very sad about the UK using it. I didn't think that the United Kingdom would use it."

The rules were written at a time when EU leaders feared that Jorg Haider, then leader of the far-right Austrian Freedom Party, could be elected to lead the country. 

The regulations were designed to make it easier for the EU to suspend a country that had elected an authoritarian leader whose values were deemed to be at odds with those of the union. 

"It seemed to me very likely that a dictatorial regime would then, in high dudgeon, want to storm out", said Lord Kerr. "And to have a procedure for storming out seemed to be quite a sensible thing to do — to avoid the legal chaos of going with no agreement."

The former diplomat said he had invented Article 50 partly to disprove Eurosceptics in the UK who insisted that Britain would never be able to leave the union.

"In Britain there was, among Eurosceptics, the theory that one was tied to one's oar with no escape and rowing to the unknown destination of ever-closer union," he said. 

"That Eurosceptic theory was always nonsense because you don't need a secession article to secede. If you stop paying your subscription, stop attending the meetings, people would notice that you'd left."

Lord Kerr has frequently insisted that Article 50 can be reversed, should Britain decide at a later date within the two-year negotiating period that it does not want to leave the EU after all.

However, Government ministers had said there is no going back that now the clause has been triggered.

"I think if you ask an EU lawyer, he will tell you straight away that of course it's not irrevocable," Lord Kerr said. "And if the issue was decided in a court, it would be decided in the European Court of Justice and it would be found that it is not irrevocable. The rules of the game in the EU are that you can change your mind."

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Source: Article 50 was designed for European dictators, not the UK, says man who wrote it

Top city break destinations in Eastern Europe

When many people think of European city breaks they imagine London, Paris and Rome. But, there are so many incredible destinations in Europe that aren't thought about nearly enough.

If you love architecture, art, good beer, good food, romantic walks at night and castles then why not visit the cities of Eastern Europe? These cities have a lot of fascinating history and a lot of heart. If you live in the UK and need travel insurance, don't forget to get your EHIC card at EHICUK and don't wait to hop on a flight and take a weekend away to one of these wonderful cities.

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest in the last few years has become one of the top destinations for a European getaway and it has everything you could ask for in a luxury city break. You can wander around for a day exploring the history of the city, (although it might take more than a day to see it all), visit the museums and galleries, take a soak in the incredible hot springs, or simple take a gentle walk and stop at a bar for the best fruity, alcoholic drink you have ever tasted: pálinka (fruit brandy). Most of all, this is a great value getaway. It can suit a lot of people's price range and, while you might not find sunny beaches and palm trees in Budapest, it's a beautiful city to explore and discover.

Ljubljana, Slovenia

This beautiful city, filled with beautiful baroque and medieval architecture, is a hidden gem in Eastern Europe. In certain corners of this city it can feel like something out of a fairy tale, especially if you decide to climb the castle on top of the hill. Around the city there are some excellent galleries and museums to explore as well as a great central market where you can taste delicious fresh food and generally take a pleasant ramble around all of the different stalls. Ljubljana is well known as being a bit of a student city, so you will find lots of hipster bars, cafes and music venues to hop around when the sun goes down. Then, of course you should take the time to wander by the river and just bask in the atmosphere.

Prague, Czech Republic

Many people would call Prague the Paris of Eastern Europe. It's romantic, it's laid back, it's beautiful and it's full of secrets for savvy city explorers to discover. Hidden around the cobbled streets of Prague are gardens, tucked away cafes, sculptures, and places where the sun catches the buildings just right. Around nearly every corner you'll find a chapel, a bridge or a towering cathedral, which is why most people prefer to walk rather than miss any of Prague's hidden treasures. Old town in particular is a great area to explore for a day if you're interested in classic architecture and don't forget to visit the famous Astronomical Clock while you're there. If you're interested in modern architecture, on the other hand, find the Dancing House – a fascinating piece of architecture also known as 'Fred and Ginger'. Then, to end your trip, take a walk over Charles Bridge. This bridge can be especially beautiful in the winter. 

Source: Top city break destinations in Eastern Europe

5 Ways to Handle In-Flight Nerves

This post was brought to you by Icelandair. Click here to begin your travel to over 25 European destinations!

Let me begin with the disclaimer that I'm not a mental health professional. Anxiety presents across a wide spectrum with varying degrees of treatment, so this shouldn't stand in place of advice given by a therapist or doctor, if you have one.

That said if you, like me, love traveling but get a few extra goosebumps when heading down the jet bridge, then this is for you.

I don't know when it happened, exactly. I remember boarding flights in high school (even after 9/11) and specifically thinking how easy it was to fly. Not scary at all!  I'd tell myself and mean it. Then, somewhere in my early 20s after moving across the country, traveling abroad and developing an incurable sense of wanderlust, I began panicking. Pre-flight, mid-flight, sometimes as soon as I'd book a ticket, the nerves would creep in. But I'll be in a plane!  I'd think and subsequently start researching homeopathic sleep aids that I hadn't already tried.

It wasn't long before I realized that I needed to do something about this, not just for the sake of any companion I might be with, but for my own health and enjoyment of life. Besides, shouldn't the flight be part of the excitement of traveling? It's embarrassing, even a little shameful, for someone who prioritizes "leaving" as much as I do to admit how often pesky fears can needlessly prevent me from doing something I love.

Well, no more.

And I say the same to my fellow white-knuckled fliers. Below are some of the tactics I rely on most regularly to handle in-flight anxiety.

Here's to booking tickets with excitement and confidence… as it should be!

1. Learn about turbulence.

In a former life I was a pre-med student. I would spend hours in the lab followed by hours at home studying organic chemistry and physics in prep for the MCAT. Oddly enough, it was during this time when I was the least scared to fly; concepts like Bernoulli's principle and fluid dynamics were drilled into my brain.

They aren't anymore. So, to quote a science term: Fear and knowledge are inversely proportional. When one increases, the other decreases and it wasn't surprising that as soon as I started distancing myself from the logical, realistic side of flight, the scarier every little bump up above became.

Though you can't control turbulence, you can control what you know about it and that makes all the difference. Understanding the very normal, scientific explanations behind turbulence (and not just being told that turbulence is normal) can significantly change your in-flight mood. I found this short video incredibly helpful to connect the logical with the visual side of the brain and basically undermine any absurd fear that a plane can randomly fall out of the sky. It harkens back to my Bernoulli days in a far easier way. (Hello, jello!)

Though you can't control turbulence, you can control what you know about it and that makes all the difference.

2. Plan specifically for the flight.

As with any good process, planning is key. And if you get a bit jumpy about airplanes, then specifically planning for the time you'll be in air is of paramount importance.

First, I do some research about the airline I'm flying to see what their in-flight entertainment is like. Do they offer channels? Or just select movies? Is WiFi available? Bonus points for mood lighting. (Fun Fact: Icelandair's interior mood lighting made a world of difference on a recent flight from Chicago to Reykjavik. Knowing something was designed with me the customer in mind, not the bottom dollar, truly made me feel like I was a valued part of the flight. Little touches like that go a long way when you're feeling extra sensitive!)

I've even been known to look up customer reviews and images of the inside of a plane just to mentally tell myself, "Yes, people have done this before." Anything to eliminate surprises and arm myself with as much knowledge as I can beforehand.

Portable entertainment devices are ubiquitous now, so I won't remind you to bring one, but I will remind you to charge it well in advance of take-off (the first time you forget to do this, you'll never forget again) and download it with seasons-worth of TV shows. I prefer TV shows to movies on planes because I get addicted to them faster and get through them quicker. Nothing helps time "fly" by like some Gilmore Girls en route to Europe or the latest BBC drama I've yet to watch.

Helpful Tip: TV shows make it easy for me to countdown the remaining hours I have left to fly. I try to equate time in the air with the last afternoon I spent binge-watching episodes on the couch. It works!

3. Do something normal during take-off.

Take-off is typically hardest for me, so sometimes it can make anxiety worse if I build up that time with a pre-flight ritual of earplugs, calming pill, swig of water and frantic breathing. Instead, I've starting engaging my seatmate or travel companion in conversation during take-off to give myself a sense of normalcy; a chat will usually anchor me outside of my mind.

If there is a particular part of flight that makes you nervous, then do something during that time that you'd typically do at home or at work. Update your planner. Clear out old text messages. Edit photos from yesterday's brunch. For a lot of us, being in an airplane is something outside the norm, which means our senses will be heightened and our perception of truth skewed. Connecting the normal with the "slightly-less-than-normal" can be a helpful tactic for keeping anxiety at bay.

4. Regain control of your mind.

The fight or flight response is real; even when an imagined threat is perceived, the amygdala in the brain produces a biochemical response in the body and this is what can make an anxiety attack feel so real and debilitating.

First, know that your mind will try to conquer you. It was a lightbulb moment for me when I realized that my mind is actually not a reliable source of information while on a plane and that the less attention I give those "what ifs," the quicker I can find a place of peace. It's not about pretending you aren't afraid, but it is about saying, "I know that I'm afraid right now, and I also know that means my body is trying to react in a way that isn't rooted in the truth." That subtle act of regaining control over what may feel like an uncontrollable situation can keep the amygdala calmer for longer, lessening a biological response and getting you back to baseline faster.

It was a lightbulb moment for me when I realized that my mind is actually not a reliable source of information while on a plane and that the less attention I give those 'what ifs,' the quicker I can find a place of peace.

Helpful Tip: Keep a photo of a loved one, pet or favorite place on your phone and look at it when you're nervous. The positive emotions released when you look at that happy scenario will "reward" your brain, even though your surroundings are uncomfortable. You can physiologically trick your body into associating flight with positive emotions instead of the negative ones you fear.

5. Engage the senses.

When you're soaring through the air in a metal tube, you are literally ungrounded. This, again, can heighten the mind's ability to distort or misread information and kick anxiety into overdrive.

For me, whenever I'm feeling that panicky sensation I immediately focus on my senses. I'll take out a pack of gummies and let one dissolve in my mouth, noticing its taste or its feel on my tongue. Then, I zero in on what I'm listening to — even repeating a line in a song or a show to concentrate on what I hear that isn't plane-related. I'll put on some fancy hand lotion that I purposely bought to use mid-flight and firmly plant my feet on the floor to better create a grounding sensation. I'll also press on stress-relieving pressure points to get myself out of my head and into the very real, very safe present moment.

Above all (no pun intended), remember that you are doing something incredibly commonplace — this is a fun visual — despite how unnatural flying might feel. Stay focused on what you have to gain on the other end of your flight. Chances are, you're traveling to get outside your routine, to seek the unexpected and to live a full, colorful, adventurous life in the first place. There's no reason to believe your vacation cannot start the second you board the plane.

What are your favorite parts about flying?

Feature Image via Kirill Zakharov

Source: 5 Ways to Handle In-Flight Nerves

8 Google Flights techniques to find better fares

Google Flights is one of the most powerful and fast ways to hone in on the cheapest options for flights.

And while the default search is great, if you play around some, you'll find great ways to scour and discover even better fares an options than you thought possible.

Here are some ways to get creative. 

1. Leave Your Destination Blank

If you are flexible about where you want to travel, don't specify a destination in your search. Google Flights will display a map view showing prices to various cities around the world.

These prices are based upon searches that other people have found, so it is not guaranteed that the price indicated will still be valid (especially in the case of flash sales or mistake fares), but you can generally get a good idea of the price to fly to various destinations on the dates you have specified.

This can be especially helpful if you know where you want to go, but can get to the region by flying elsewhere for much less.

Looking at the map above, let's say that you want to travel to Europe. The map highlights the cheapest prices, and flying into Stockholm is an option for $532, almost $400 less than most other destinations.

From Stockholm, you can search for cheaper, separate flights onward to wherever you're headed in Europe. You'll probably want to put a day or so padding between your arrival and departure in Stockholm, but if you want the absolute lowest price and are flexible, it's a great way to save.

2. Search 5 Destinations and Origins at Once

If you have some idea of where you want to travel, but aren't necessarily dead set on one destination, then you should search up to five destinations at once. Just enter them separated by commas in the destination field.

Say, for example, that you want to go to Central America.

You could indicate that you are willing to fly into Belize City (BZE), San José, Costa Rica (SJO), Managua, Nicaragua (MGA), Guatemala City (GUA), or San Salvador, El Salvador (SAL), just to name a few.

Just enter 'BZE, SJO, MGA, GUA, SAL' in the destination field.

Likewise, if you have the flexibility to depart from various airports, make sure to enter that into your search parameters as well.

3. Search Nearby Airports

If you are looking to go to a specific destination, keep in mind that there might be more than one airport that is close to that destination.

For example, if you are interested in traveling to London, you could fly into London Heathrow (LHR), London Gatwick (LGW), London Southend (SEN), London Luton (LTN), London City (LCY), or London Stansted (STN). 

If you only enter London Heathrow into your search, which is the airport with the most flights into London, you will still be missing out on a lot of flight options into other airports. 

To select nearby airports, click on the destination box and type in your ideal airport. Then click the + sign on the right of the destination box to see an automatically generated list of nearby airports.

Let's look at an example to illustrate this more clearly. Assume you want to fly from JFK to SFO from May 10 – May 17. If that is what you type into your search, these would be your results:

By enabling nearby airports for both the origin, JFK, and the destination, SFO, you can see cheaper options like LGA (LaGuardia) to SJC (San Jose) for $280 roundtrip:

4. Look at the Monthly Calendar

Instead of selecting specific dates, look at the prices on the monthly calendar. 

Make sure you click on individual dates, because when you do that the return flight gets repriced and you might see a lower price than the calendar initially displays.

5. Search Flexible Dates (Only on Round Trips)

If you have somewhat fixed dates for your trip with a little bit of flexibility, you should look at the flexible date search.

Flexible date search allows you to see if shortening or lengthening your trip by a few days or shifting your trip can save you money or offer a better itinerary.

Just click on the 'Flexible dates' tab to see options.

6. Use the Price Graph (Especially for Round Trips)

Sometimes it's easier to look at a price graph instead of the award calendar, especially for trips that are flexible in length.

It is very easy to adjust the length of a trip in the Price Graph view which means you can search multiple trip lengths very quickly.

As a bonus, the graph view will help you easily identify which trip length will save you the most money.

7. Search by Interest

You can use the explore destinations feature on Google Flights to search by various interested you might have.

For example, if you are interested in having a relaxing beach vacation, simply tell Google Flights your dates of travel and that you are interested in beaches. From there, Google Flights will display a bunch of beach options along with the price to get there.

8. Search by Interest and Region

If you want to narrow your search one step further, tell Google Flights the region you are interested in traveling to in addition to your interest. Say you want to take your daughter to Europe for the first time and want to combine that with some wildlife spotting.

Again, just input that information and Google Flights will come back to you with several suggestions and price points.

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Source: 8 Google Flights techniques to find better fares

Dundee Airport operators pursue new European flight destinations

Dundee Airport operators are actively pursuing new links to connect the City of Discovery with the continent, it has been revealed.

Concerns were raised over the ramifications of Brexit on the city's airport as EU chiefs warned airlines they needed to relocate their headquarters and sell off shares to EU nationals if they wanted to continue flying across the continent.

It has been reported that EU officials have told major carriers that in order to operate routes across Europe they must have a significant base on EU territory and a majority of their capital shares must be EU-owned.

Dundee-Stansted flight link secured for two more years

Bid to find another operator for Dundee to Amsterdam route

Source: Dundee Airport operators pursue new European flight destinations

Around 250,000 flights on new Munich Airport summer timetable

Next Sunday, March 26, Munich Airport's new summer timetable will come into effect: The airlines have scheduled a total of 250,000 flights to 238 destinations in 68 countries. In addition to 17 German airports and 171 medium-range routes, scheduled services will be available to 50 intercontinental destinations. The summer period will end on Saturday, October 28, 2017.

Again this summer, passengers travelling from Munich will have many attractive long-haul destinations to choose from: From the end of May until early September, both Lufthansa and United Airlines will offer daily flights to San Francisco. Condor is also adding two popular US destinations, with two weekly departures to each of Las Vegas and Seattle starting at the beginning of May and mid-June, respectively. It will also offer a weekly service to Holguin, in the east of Cuba. From the end of June, Saudia will operate four weekly flights to Riyadh and three to Jeddah with Airbus A320 and Boeing 777 aircraft.

With the start of the summer timetable, the Lufthansa subsidiary Eurowings will have four aircraft stationed at Munich Airport to serve 31 attractive European destinations, above all in Italy, Greece and Croatia. Italian cities served will include Brindisi, Cagliari and Lamezia Terme as well as Catania and Palermo in Sicily. In Greece, Eurowings will fly to Chania, Kavala, Heraklion and Thessaloniki. Several flights per week will also be offered to the Greek islands of Corfu, Kos, Mykonos and Rhodes as well as the Spanish island of Ibiza. Other Eurowings summer destinations will include Dubrovnik, Split, Pula and Zadar in Croatia. Especially appealing to business travellers: Eurowings will be departing from Munich to the major European cities of Amsterdam, Edinburgh, London, Paris, Naples and Rome. Lufthansa is adding a new destination, with six weekly flights to Nantes in the west of France.

The British carrier bmi Regional is expanding its roster of flights to Rostock, Brno and Norköpping with an additional weekday departure, and is also adding a new destination with a daily flight to Lublin in Poland. The Latvian airline airBaltic is offering flights to the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, departing every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Another new destination available in Munich: Volotea, a carrier from Spain, will fly twice a week to the city of Oviedo in the northern Spanish province of Asturias from the end of May. The Russian airline UTair will depart once a day for the Vnukovo Airport in Moscow starting in mid-April. Niki, an Austrian airline, is taking over a large share of the charter routes of its parent company airberlin.

Source: Around 250,000 flights on new Munich Airport summer timetable

Skift Forum Europe: Google Travel Exec Details Changing Consumer Behavior

On April 4 in London, hundreds of the travel industry's brightest and best will gather for the first Skift Forum Europe. In only a few short years Skift's Forums — the largest creative business gatherings in the global travel industry — have become what media, speakers, and attendees have called the "TED Talks of travel."

This year's event at Tobacco Dock in London will feature speakers including CEOs and top executives from  InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Norwegian Air, Google, Lonely Planet, Momondo Group, and many more.

The following is part of a series of posts highlighting some of the speakers and touching on issues of concern in Europe and beyond. See the complete list of amazing speakers and topics at this year's event.

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If you want to dig for new information about consumer behavior in travel and beyond it, Google's a good place to start.

Oliver Heckmann, vice president of engineering for Google Travel, says one takeaway so far from its Google Trips app, which debuted in September, is that more than one third of the app's users download destination data so they can use it offline later.

"Offline access is essential," Heckmann says. "We see that more than a quarter of travelers do not have a stable connection when they use Google Trips in-destination."

Travelers also like to build their own itineraries and download, on average, 12 starred items saved on Google Maps to refine their planned wanderings, he says.

What's clear about the future of travel — and life — is that the tech revolution has inordinate sway over things to come. Heckmann says 20 percent of Google app for Android users opt for voice search instead of tapping on their phones or tablets. Separately, people accessing Assistant on Google Home are taking advantage of its translation services, and that's a utility that is vital for everyone from travelers to refugees and aid workers.

On the competitive front, Heckmann won't commit to launching tour, hotel or airline booking capabilities in the Google Trips app, although he adds this will be explored "in the future."

While Heckmann won't say much about Facebook's launch of City Guides, which is a competitor to Google Trips,  he does think competition makes the world go round.

"We view competition as a forcing function that spurs innovation and the development of amazing user experiences for travelers around the globe — which we think is a great outcome for everyone," Heckmann says.

Heckmann will appear at Skift Forum Europe in London April 4, and will discuss how Google, and everything from artificial intelligence to machine learning and voice search, are rewriting the next acts of how people get around the globe.

We queried Heckmann via email about some of these topics, and the following is an edited version of his responses.

Skift: When is Google Travel, including Google Flights and Hotel Ads, going to get serious about Europe or do you feel constrained because of the regulatory environment?

Oliver Heckmann: We're actually seeing a lot of momentum in Europe and are happy with the strong partnerships we've developed there. Google Flights is already available in many European countries including Portugal, Germany, France, Austria, Sweden, and many more. This region continues to be a focus for us. We're constantly working on deepening our relationships with airlines like Lufthansa, and have plans to launch to more countries in the coming months.

With regards to hotels, we work closely with European hotel chains and groups like AccorHotels and Premier Inn, who used Google Hotel Ads to increase their overall bookings by 40 percent. Bedfinder, a business unit of the HotelPlan Group, is another great example. After launching in the U.S. in September 2016 and in UK in December 2016, Bedfinder acquired 25,000 new customers by using Hotel Ads and Book on Google.

We also have great partnerships with a number of hotel integrations partners like WIHP, who have been instrumental in getting European hotels of all sizes set up with Hotel Ads, and are extremely excited to grow these even further this year.

Skift: What have you learned from the Trips app? When and how are you going to introduce tours and activities bookings in it? Why stop there? Why not hotels too?

Heckmann: Since we launched Google Trips last September, we've been really excited and encouraged by all of the positive feedback we've received from travelers. In fact, we've learned a couple of key things so far.

Offline access is essential: We see that more than a quarter of travelers do not have a stable connection when they use Google Trips in-destination. And, more than one-third of Trips users download relevant city data expecting to not be online and connected at any given moment.

Travelers love to control their own destiny. With Google Trips, it was important for us to give travelers options: the ability to follow curated day plans based on what we at Google know about past trips to a particular destination, as well as the ability to create their own plans. We see that many travelers like to structure their own days, using on average 12 starred items that they saved on Google Maps to tailor their itinerary as they see fit.

As for integrating partner content and booking capabilities, this is absolutely something we're open to exploring in the future. We're just getting started with Google Trips and are excited about making the app even more useful for travelers in the months and years to come.

Skift: Do you have an artificial intelligence advantage over your competitors? How are you going to leverage that?

Heckmann: As a company, Google has been using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to create even better experiences for the people who use our products and enable capabilities that weren't possible before, like voice-based interaction. For example, in the Google App on Android, 20 percent of U.S. searches are now made by voice. We've seen how powerful AI can be with tools like Google Translate, which became a critical tool during the refugee crisis in Europe, supporting the growth of translations between German and Arabic by 5X.

With regards to travel, we're especially excited about how we're using machine learning to make our tools more assistive and conversational. This means surfacing better recommendations, designing itineraries, improving user interfaces and processing information more efficiently. For example, people can already ask the Assistant a variety of travel-related questions and instantly get helpful answers. With the Assistant on Google Home, travelers can already translate languages ("how do you say good evening in German?"), ask about an upcoming trip ("when is my trip to Zurich?"), and get important details about a particular location ("is the Sagrada Familia open on Mondays?").

Skift: Facebook just debuted a City Guides feature in the Facebook app that has some parallels to the Google Trips app. What's better about the Trips app and isn't it nice that Facebook is providing a little competition?

Heckmann:The online travel industry is always evolving, which is something we love and appreciate about the space. Right now, travelers have a variety of different options available to them. They can go to Expedia, TripAdvisor, Hopper, Facebook, and other partners to address their specific travel needs. We view competition as a forcing function that spurs innovation and the development of amazing user experiences for travelers around the globe, which we think is a great outcome for everyone.

As for Google Trips, I'm personally a big fan of the day plans feature, being able to quickly customize my plans has made planning the days of my vacations a lot easier, and much more fun.

Oliver Heckman will be speaking at Skift Forum Europe on April 4 in London. 

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Photo Credit: Oliver Heckmann, who oversees Google's travel product, will discuss progress in Europe and the changing ways consumers are using Google on desktop and mobile. Skift

Source: Skift Forum Europe: Google Travel Exec Details Changing Consumer Behavior

Dublin tops list of desirable destinations for bankers post-Brexit

Dublin has come out top in a list of potential EU cities that London-based bankers should move to after Brexit, according to a new study.

The index of 15 cities was compiled by relocation company Movinga. It found higher income tax rates were outweighed by considerations such as average high-end rent prices, language, food, luxury stores and bars.

Amsterdam was ranked second and Valletta in Malta third, with Frankfurt in sixth place and Paris in ninth.

"Everyone talks about Paris and Frankfurt as the new financial centres of Europe after Brexit," said Finn Hänsel, managing director at Movinga. "But other cities like Dublin, Valletta, Luxembourg and Amsterdam may actually be better equipped to make these workers feel happy and at home. Individuals and businesses alike should consider the unique factors important to their relocation before planning their move."

Startup ecosystem

However, startup employees would find a better home in Berlin, the same study said, with a low cost of living and a booming startup ecosystem. Dublin doesn't make the top three, partly due to having high monthly travel costs, with Warsaw and Budapest considered the next best options.

Banks are expected to begin the process of moving jobs out of the UK soon after prime minister Theresa May starts the clock ticking on the two-year negotiation period to leave the EU, expected on March 29th. Dublin has emerged as one of the favourites for London-based banks seeking uninterrupted access to the bloc post-Brexit, with Standard Chartered, Barclays and Bank of America likely to choose the city for their new EU hubs.

However, Frankfurt is shaping up as the top pick for many of the biggest international banks, including Goldman Sachs and Citigroup.

The German city has a financial ecosystem featuring Deutsche Bank, the European Central Bank and BaFin, one of the only EU regulators with experience overseeing complicated derivatives trading.

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The movinga list and criteria can be found here.

Additional reporting - Bloomberg

Source: Dublin tops list of desirable destinations for bankers post-Brexit

London named best-rated destination in Europe for 2017

London has beaten traditional favourites such as Paris and Rome to be named the best destination in Europe in TripAdvisor's annual Travellers' Choice Destination awards.

The sought-after top rating was awarded after analysis of millions of visitor reviews of hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions.

The capital's profile was boosted last year by events such as the Queen's 90th celebrations and blockbuster shows like Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

London also ranked as the second best rated destination on earth, beating popular holiday destinations like New York and Thailand - but was narrowly pipped to the top spot by Bali in Indonesia. 

The Indonesian island, which is known for its forested volcanic mountains, iconic rice paddies, beaches and coral reefs, jumped nine places from the 10th spot last year.

TripAdvisor's top 10 destinations in the world also recognised Crete in Greece (number six), Barcelona in Spain (seven), Siem Reap, near Angkor Wat in Cambodia (number eight), Prague (nine), and Phuket in Thailand (10).

Rajesh Agrawal, Deputy Mayor for Business and Chairman of London & Partners, said: "London has the best selection of food, theatre, cultural events, museums and galleries anywhere in the world, and we are welcoming more visitors than ever to enjoy the diversity of our great city.

"With new blockbuster exhibitions and shows opening, plus Harry Potter's 20th anniversary and the 'IAAF World Championships London 2017 and World Para Athletics Championships' in the capital this year, we hope to further cement the city's global status as one of the best places that there is to visit."

The number of overseas visitors to the capital has soared since the 2012 Olympics, reaching a record 17.4 million in 2014, making it the city most visited by international travellers.

The capital fell one spot from first place, having been named the world's number one travel destination last year. 

TripAdvisor's 10 best-rated destinations in Europe:

1.    London, UK

2.    Paris, France

3.    Rome, Italy

4.    Crete, Greece

5.    Barcelona, Spain

6.    Prague, Czech Republic

7.    Istanbul, Turkey

8.    St. Petersburg, Russia

9.    Lisbon, Portugal

10. Amsterdam, The Netherlands

TripAdvisor's 10 best-rated destinations in the world:

1.    Bali, Indonesia 

2.    London, UK 

3.    Paris, France 

4.    Rome, Italy 

5.    New York City, United States

6.    Crete, Greece 

7.    Barcelona, Spain  

8.    Siem Reap, Cambodia  

9.    Prague, Czech Republic  

10. Phuket, Thailand 

Source: London named best-rated destination in Europe for 2017

Lesley Riddoch: Indyref will be different this time round

In the aftermath of last week's momentous announcements by Nicola Sturgeon and Theresa May one interview in particular stuck in my mind.

As usual it was "balanced" by having two supporters of the Union (one Labour and one Tory) and one independence supporter - myself. As Meat Loaf never said, "one out of three ain't bad."

Anyway, what made it memorable was the presenter's pay-off line; "I'm sure we'll hear these arguments again ad nauseam in the months and years ahead." Really? Ad nauseam?

It's become fashionable for interviewers to regard these tumultuous times with a degree of ennui and weariness. Like victims of a constitutional Groundhog Day that constantly reruns the events and arguments of 2014 - but over a much longer timescale. Of course one change is regularly commented upon. The oil price has fallen considerably since the last referendum.

But actually, there are many probable differences between indyrefs one and two, and it's the job of the media to explore them with enthusiasm, curiosity and commitment. After all, whether Scots vote yes or no next time, we will all inhabit the chosen destination.

Firstly, this time round it's clear independence and remaining in the Union are two uncertain paths – the latter cannot be regarded as automatically safer or the sensible default. This time round, both propositions should be subject to equal scrutiny. And that does mean genuinely equal airtime.

Just because Labour and the Tories won't work together this time round, there's no excuse for having both represented on panels with just one independence supporter. Why not have a Gogglebox style format or a panel of genuine don't knows or perhaps two programmes where each side examines what's weak about their own case. I think the indyref feature most Scots dread re-living is the TV debate complete with posturing, sound-bites, cross party shouting, shallow arguments and petty point scoring. There would be a communal cheer if BBC and STV kept the live debates to a minimum this time and fulfilled their obligations to educate, inform and entertain by working harder on other formats. In 2014 BBC Alba made "built" programmes on various themes asking, for example, whether our renewable energy industry would be safer in UK or Scottish hands? Viewers heard arguments from industry experts and both political camps in compelling half hour films on a range of subjects.

More of that this time on the main channels – and it's not too late for BBC Scotland to surprise everyone with a current affairs offering before the new Channel kicks in.

The second big difference – last time round the case for independence was triggered by the SNP's overall majority and carried forward by their energies. Indyref2 has an impetus beyond the SNP – even without an SNP/Green working majority at Holyrood many Scots would be demanding another chance to vote for independence to escape the impending disaster of Brexit. The second referendum will be played out against the unraveling of Britain's ties with Europe and the growing evidence of deals for special interest groups like the car industry, the city of London, Ireland, Gibraltar and soft fruit farmers in England. It will be energized by developments in Brussels and will respond to an ever-changing international situation - making indyref2 more unpredictable and interesting for analysts and voters alike.

Thirdly, attitudes in Europe towards Scotland have changed. Britain's departure puts a premium on the continuing membership of the loyal, Europhile and energy-rich Scots. Jacqueline Minor, the European Commission's head of representation in the UK, recently said an independent Scotland would already be aligned with EU requirements and is therefore in a different starting position from other countries applying for membership.

Previously Ms Minor had put an iScotland in line with Montenegro, Serbia and Bosnia.

On Valentine's Day this year, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt sent a "lovebomb" message to Scots saying - "Europe hasn't forgotten that a large majority of the Scottish people voted to remain. We need the Scottish people and their firm European beliefs."

Many commentators are intent on playing the old, broken record of European hostility to Scotland's case. Radically different attitudes revealed during the Brexit process will hopefully refresh outdated perspectives.

Fourthly, the "one singer - one song" approach to strategy on the Yes side is changing. It's no secret the official Yes campaign last time round was found lacking by many non-SNP members and local groups – so grassroot organisations were formed which are still active. Common Weal is constructing an alternative white paper, the Scottish Independence Convention is up and running as an umbrella group for all Yes groups and folk like myself and the late Paddy Bort have been raising questions about the best long-term European destination for Scotland - the EU or the halfway house of EFTA. With the likelihood of a long game, the SNP could let a thousand policy flowers blossom at this early stage before making final decisions about their platform.

Fifthly, EU nationals were scared to vote Yes in 2014 in case it jeopardised their status. I'd imagine that position will change completely during indyref2 for the 182,000 EU citizens in Scotland. Unless, of course they are forced to leave or Westminster tries to restrict the franchise.

Sixthly, the actors have changed quite dramatically – indeed the lack of response to Gordon Brown's attempted intervention suggests the Scottish press at least have finally accepted he is yesterday's man. Women will be leading this debate on almost all sides and from the Yes camp anyway there is a determination to adopt a non-hectoring tone.

Seventh point – with no prospect of an Edinburgh Agreement, the length of the race this time is uncertain. That makes it hard for pro independence campaigners to hit the start button not knowing if the referendum is 18 months or 4 years away. But at least the distinctiveness of Scottish political culture is not in question this time round, thanks to the dramatic nature of the Brexit vote. And of course the polls put both sides roughly even. That's a very different starting point to the 23 per cent support registered in 2012, when the starting pistol was last fired.

Undoubtedly there are many more differences. Enough to fire up the professionals charged with making indyref2 more authentic, more ground-breaking and a lot less shouty than the last.

Source: Lesley Riddoch: Indyref will be different this time round

10 Affordable (And Truly Beautiful) Cities in Europe That You Can Go Right Now

Scrolling down your Instagram and you see your friends swimming at the beautiful beaches in Spain, visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris or sipping their cup of coffee at a cafe in Italy while you are still sitting at home dreaming about going to Europe, but think you can't?

Think again, because the euro just hits a 20-month low, making it a perfect time for your Europe dream.

As an avid and frequent traveler, I've always loved Europe.

European know how to enjoy life and there're a lot of amazing places to explore in Europe. From the beautiful harbors in Southern France, to the incredible architecture in Spain, the amazing castles in Germany and the stunning alps in Switzerland and more; there's just so much you can see there. And not to mention the food there, just try to think about how persistent Italian are when it comes to the quality of food including the pasta, pizza and even just a cup of coffee.

Having studied in Madrid for half a year, I'd like to suggest you some of the most affordable cities to visit in Europe. You really don't need to spend a lot to have a memorable trip in Europe, here we go:

1. Seville, Spain

▲ Plaza de España

Seville is the birthplace of Flamenco and a day in this passionate city with a double-sized bed will cost you $30 on Airbnb.

Instead of paying to watch Flamenco dancing in the US or your hometown, watch it for free at bars like the famous El Palacio Andaluz or La Carbonería at the birthplace of this hot and passionate dance. If you make it in time in April, you could also go to the festival 'Feria de Abril' in Seville to see the passion and hospitality of Spaniards.

Visit the Plaza de España, Metropol Parasol and Palace of San Telmo to enjoy the not-to-be-missed architecture in this cultural hub of southern Spain. Save your Sunday morning before 2:30pm to visit the Seville Cathedral because it is free!

Do not forget to try out all different kinds of tapas there! (And usually if you order a beer at the bar, you'll get tapas for free!)

2. Porto, Portugal

▲ The port in Porto

Accommodations in Porto are affordable as most of them are priced locally. A decent double bedroom costs you less than $20.

Traveling in this second largest city in Portugal and a world heritage listed by the UNESCO in 1996, you will be able to explore the historical sides of the Europe by visiting the Porto Cathedrals, the beautifully painted São Bento Railway Station which inaugurated in 191 and the Ponte de Dom Luis I bridge that allow you to get the best views over Porto.

The awesome part is, they are all free. If you are up for some wine in this world's top wine destination, pay $3USD to try their the local port wine.

3. Berlin, Germany

▲ Berlin Cathedral

While you might not believe, but it's actually not expensive to travel in the capital of Germany.

A comfy two-person bedroom costs less than $25 on Airbnb and a dinner out in beer halls or average restaurants would be around $8-16.

Being one of the most multicultural cities, not only will you be able to experience the energetic vibes of the Berliners', but also get to try out different kinds of food, be it kebab or currywurst can go as cheap as less than $3. If you are on a budget but still wanna drink, go to those beer halls or bars only in happy hours.

Berlin has many world-class museums which offer student discount for entry, so make sure you bring your student cards when visiting the museums like the Checkpoint Charlie Museum. The Berlin Wall is also a must-go spot — an important symbol of the German unification.

4. Tallinn, Estonia

▲ Tallinn Immagini Credit: visitestonia

Tallinn is able to offer everything in a much lower price than you find in Western Europe. A double-sized bed costs $20 per day on Airbnb, double if near the old-town center and a budget dinner would cost around $7-14.

The Sõõrikukohvik Donut Cafe is the place to be for a budgeted meal with salads, pancakes, Estonian-styled donuts etc.

Instead of going to towers or hotels to enjoy the views of Tallinn, you can simply go up to the Toompea Hill and enjoy the beauty of Tallinn for free.

Remember to visit the world heritage – the Old Town of Tallinn, join a free tour there to get the most out of it.

5. Prague, Czech Republic

▲ Charles Bridge Credit: Prague.eu

One should not be unfamiliar with the word – Prague when doing budgeted travel. Although the Czech currency has been rising over the years, you could still find cheap, decent and cozy double-bed bedroom for less than $20 per night on airbnb. And it would cost around $6-10 to dine out in Prague.

Make sure you go to see the huge Prague Castle which offer some free parts to enter, a short visit would cost you for only $10.

Also visit The Prague National Gallery which holds the country's most treasured art pieces after 4pm because it would be cheaper. You might also want to try drinking inside a nuclear fallout center in Bunkr Parukarka.

6. Krakow, Poland

▲ Main Market Square  Credit: inyourpocket

Krakow has a lower costs of living than those in Western Europe. Just like Prague, Krakow is listed as the one of the best-valued destination in Europe in 2017.

Visit the known historical monument and world heritage – the Old Town where you can see the historical european monuments and churches showing you the classic Europe.

There are also free walking tours available daily leaving from the main square and one should visit the Auschwitz Concentration Camps for one to understand the painful memories of war for the Pole and the entrance fee is free.

7. Brussels, Belgium

▲ Grand Place  Credit: LonelyPlanet

You could get cozy accommodation for two in Brussels for $20 on Airbnb, and a dinner at an average restaurant would cost you from $9 to $17.

Do visit the oldest Musées Royaux Art et Histoire to see the most important art pieces in the world. The Grand Place and Palais de Justice are what you should see too if you're fond on the European architecture. There are also free walking tours available on sites like New Europe Tours.

Do try the locally-made Belgium chocolate at Leonidas too!

8. Granada, Spain

▲ Alhambra Palace

It would cost you $9-16 to dine out in Granada and you could easily find room for two to stay overnight for less than $20.

You must not miss the historical Alhambra Palace, a palace and fortress complex with Arabic architectural style. The tickets get sold out easily, so it's better for you to book your tickets in advance, or you'll have to queue for the tickets at the door very early in the morning.

Remember to visit the Cathedral of Granada as it is the second largest cathedral in Spain and the Royal Chapel to see the historical sides of Spain. They are all under $5.

Go dine at some local restaurants and bars that give you free tapas upon a beer order to save some money!

9. Split, Croatia

Credit: VisitSplit

Splits in Croatia is known for its blue coastlines and beaches. The accommodations here are in good value, a room with sea views for two costs you less than $30 per day.

Visit the Campanile Bell Tower to walk up to the tower and enjoy the views of Split. Also visit the gallaries there like the Meštrović Gallery and Gallery of Fine Arts for less than $5.

Dinner is ranged from $7-14, at a rather cheap price comparing with dining in the other parts of Europe. Make sure you get seafood from the local restaurants.

10. Naples, Italy

In one of the oldest continuos inhabited cities in the world, Naples has plenty of historical museums and architectures that are worth visiting.

Although you cannot get hotels or hostels as cheap as those in Eastern Europe, it is relatively cheap compared with the northern sides of Italy with less tan $20 for a day in a hostel and less than $40 for a three-started hotel with convenient transportations nearby.

Visit the National Museum of Capodimonte which opened in 1957 for some of the finest Italian paintings .

Food and drinks here are just like the accommodation, reasonable and cheaper than in the cities in the south of Italy.

Now you are ready to go, time to pack your bag, buy your tickets and explore Europe!

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Source: 10 Affordable (And Truly Beautiful) Cities in Europe That You Can Go Right Now

International Airlines Group to launch long-haul carrier LEVEL

International Airlines Group is launching LEVEL - a new low cost long-haul airline brand.

The carrier will take to the skies in June, with flights from Barcelona to Los Angeles, San Francisco (Oakland), Buenos Aires and Punta Cana.

LEVEL will fly two new Airbus A330 aircraft branded in its own livery and fitted with 293 economy and 21 premium economy seats.

Initially it will be operated by Iberia's flight and cabin crew and will create up to 250 jobs based in Barcelona.

Barcelona has been chosen as the first European city for the launch of IAG's new operation but LEVEL will look to expand its flights from other European cities.

Checked luggage (in addition to a free cabin bag), meals, seat selection and the latest movie releases will be complimentary for customers flying in premium economy.

Those travelling in economy can chose what they want to buy based on a menu of choices.

All customers will have access to next generation inflight technology with a wide range of on-board entertainment options.

High speed internet connectivity will also be available.

Willie Walsh, IAG chief executive, said: "LEVEL is an exciting new IAG airline brand which will bring a stylish and modern approach to flying at prices that are even more affordable.

"It will benefit from having the strength of one of the world's largest airline groups behind it.

"LEVEL will become IAG's fifth main airline brand alongside Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia and Vueling.

"It will complement our existing airline portfolio and further diversify our current customer base.

"Barcelona is Vueling's home base and this will allow customers to connect from Vueling's extensive European network onto LEVEL's long-haul flights.

"This is just the start.

"We're really excited about the opportunities for expansion and we plan to bring LEVEL to other European destinations."

LEVEL's customers will be able to earn and redeem Avios – the loyalty currency for IAG's airlines.

This will give them the opportunity to fly to 380 destinations across the group's network.

Find out more below:

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Source: International Airlines Group to launch long-haul carrier LEVEL

BA’s owner IAG has launched a budget airline with trans-Atlantic flights from £86, but there’s a catch

BUDGET AIRWAYS

Flights on Level airline will run from Barcelona to LA, San Francisco, Buenos Aires and Punta Cana

The owner of British Airways is joining the battle for budget trans-Atlantic flights, with fares to the US from €99 (£86).

International Airlines Group have announced a new airline called Level will launch in June, with flights from Barcelona to LA, San Francisco, Buenos Aires and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

Getty Images

A new airline called Level will launch this summer, with trans-Atlantic flights from €99 (£86)

While the airline will only operate from one European destination initially, there are plans to extend to several other airports.

IAG, which also owns Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia and Vueling, will use staff from Iberia to man the planes initially.

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They are starting with two new Airbus A330 aircraft, with plans to roll out more in the future.

While fares are rock-bottom, passengers will have to pay for many of the perks that are usually given for free on long-haul flights.

Alamy

Flights will go from from Barcelona (pictured) to LA, San Francisco, Buenos Aires and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic

Customers will have to fork out to put a bag in the hold, to get food and drink on the plane and to choose their own seat – which is more important on an eight-hour flight than a short trip to Europe.

There will also be a handful of seats in Premium Economy for an extra cost.

The low-cost airline is an effort by IAG to muscle in on a market currently dominated by their rivals Norwegian Air and WestJet.

Source: BA's owner IAG has launched a budget airline with trans-Atlantic flights from £86, but there's a catch

Will Brexit see UK travellers lose their European health privileges?

There was good news and bad news for consumers this week, all looming, in different ways, out of the fog of Brexit. First the good - or goodish - variety, that Boots has fallen into line with WH Smith and decided that it will refund the VAT on goods bought in airport departure lounges by passengers travelling to destinations outside the European Union. 

It's goodish news because they will only do it if you spend more than £5. Quite why, in the days of automated systems, we should be subjected to an arbitrary minimum spend, I'm not sure. If Boots - or any retailer for that matter - doesn't have to pay the tax I don't see why we should be handing it over to them at any level.  

Boots will now refund the VAT on goods bought in airports by passengers travelling to destinations outside the EU Credit: ALAMY

The VAT exemption only applies to travel outside the EU - anyone travelling to an EU country, will continue to have to pay VAT on what they buy in the departure lounge. These arrangements come down to European rules, so possibly, after Brexit, everything may change again. We may even get the old duty-free allowances back.

Also this week, the travel trade has been kicking up a fuss because of a European directive which is to be implemented into British law with effect from next January. One of the consequences of the wonderfully-named "Second Payment Services Directive" is that, as currently proposed, it will ban tour operators and travel agents from charging an additional fee when you buy your travel arrangements using a credit card. They will instead themselves have to absorb all card charges levied by the banks - typically about two per cent of the transaction costs.

It sounds like good news for the consumer. We will be able to pay for our holidays using the flexibility of a credit card, without being charged extra for the privilege by the travel company. Using a card also gives protection for holidaymakers against the collapse of that company, so that also seems like a good result. 

Tour operators may soon be banned from charging an additional fee when you buy your travel arrangements using a credit card

But tour operators and agents are arguing that, because their profit margins are so tight, having to absorb this cost will force them to put up prices, especially if significant numbers of people opt to pay by credit card. So we will have to wait and see whether this is a breakthrough for consumers, or a shot in the foot. 

Lastly, on Wednesday, there was a hint that, as a result of Brexit, we might lose the privileges which allow us to use the national health services of EU member states while we are travelling. In an answer to questions from the Brexit Select Committee, the Brexit minister David Davis said that, although he hadn't yet looked into the issue, he thought it was "probably right" that UK citizens would no longer have access to the EHIC health treatment card, the passport to these benefits, which are reciprocal and allow EU citizens to use our own National Health Service if they fall ill in the UK.

Watch | How leaving the EU could affect travellers 01:09

The trade body, ABTA argues that there is no intrinsic reason why this important benefit - it was used used over 200,000 times by British Citizens travelling in the EU last year - has to be lost. It makes the point that the EHIC card is currently valid in, for example, Switzerland, which is not a member of the EU. 

I may be being overly pessimistic, but it seems to me that it is exactly the kind of membership benefit which is likely to slip through such an incredibly complex negotiating net over the next couple of years - especially if Davis' gut reaction is so negative. And that would be bad news.

Source: Will Brexit see UK travellers lose their European health privileges?

ECDC: Rapid Risk Assessment On Introduction Of Yellow Fever To Europe

#12,318

As we've seen with the rapid spread of Zika and Chikungunya throughout the Caribbean, Latin and South America, the introduction of a new arbovirus into a region where competent vectors and an immunologically naive population co-exist, can quickly lead to a public health crisis.

While Yellow Fever has been successfully eradicated from North America and Europe for decades, the mosquito vectors that transmit the virus are still present in some regions.

In 2010 the Eurosurveillance Journal devoted an entire issue to The Threat Of Vector Borne Diseases, including making the case for the reintroduction of  Yellow fever and dengue: a threat to Europe? by P Reiter.

 And just as with Dengue, Chikungunya, Malaria, and most recently Zika, the potential for limited re-introduction of Yellow Fever to the United States is not zero (see Could Yellow Fever Return to the United States? by Peter Hotez and Kristy Murray). 

So, after last year's hard learned lessons on Zika - a threat that is still ongoing  - the recent large outbreak of Yellow Fever in Brazil (see CDC  Level II Travel Notice: Yellow Fever in Brazil) has some in Europe and the United States wondering if this year's mosquito season will see the return of Yellow Fever.

Although large outbreaks are unlikely on either continent - the daily arrival of travelers from countries where the yellow fever virus is circulating does pose a risk of introducing the virus into the local mosquito population -  making localized outbreaks possible.

Places like Florida and Southern Texas are probably at greater risk of seeing local transmission than most of Europe, but the ECDC has released the following Rapid Risk Assessment that makes it clear that while the risks are currently very low, that situation could change.

I've only posted some excerpts, so follow the link to download and read the full report:

Yellow fever among travellers returning from South America, March 2017

Main conclusions and options for response

A travel-associated case of yellow fever has been reported by the Netherlands in March 2017 after travel to Suriname. During the past eight months, four travel-associated cases of yellow fever have been identified among EU travellers returning from South America. This represents a significant increase on four travel-associated cases of yellow fever among EU travellers during the last 27 years (1999 to July 2016). Brazil has been experiencing a yellow fever outbreak since January 2017 and travel recommendations have been updated accordingly [1,2]. Therefore, EU travellers travelling to areas at risk of yellow fever in South America should be informed of the potential exposure to yellow fever virus and an individual risk benefit analysis should be conducted during pre-travel medical consultation. The ongoing yellow fever outbreak in Brazil should be carefully monitored, as the establishment of an urban cycle of yellow fever would have the potential to rapidly affect a significant number of people. The risk of introduction and further transmission of the yellow fever virus in the EU is currently considered very low.

Advice to travellers

EU citizens who travel to, or live in areas where there is evidence of periodic or persistent yellow fever virus transmission, especially those in outbreak-affected regions, are advised to:

• Be aware of the risk of yellow fever in endemic areas throughout South America, including recently affected States in Brazil. WHO publishes a list of countries, territories and areas with yellow fever vaccination requirements and recommendations [1-3].• Check vaccination status and get vaccinated if necessary. Vaccination against yellow fever is recommended from nine months of age for people visiting or living in yellow fever risk areas. An individual risk benefit analysis should be conducted prior to vaccination, taking into account the period, destination, duration of travel and the likelihood of exposure to mosquitoes (e.g. rural areas, forests) as well as individual risk factors for adverse events following yellow fever vaccination.• Take measures to prevent mosquito bites indoors and outdoors, especially between sunrise and sunset when Aedes and sylvatic yellow fever mosquito vectors are most active [4]. These measures include:

− the use of mosquito repellent in accordance with the instructions indicated on the product label;− wearing long-sleeved shirts and long trousers;− sleeping or resting in screened/air-conditioned rooms, or using mosquito nets at night and during the day.

Advice to health professionals

Physicians, health professionals and travel health clinics should be provided with or have access to regularly updated information about areas with ongoing yellow fever transmission and should consider yellow fever in the differential diagnoses for illnesses in relation to travellers returning from affected areas.To reduce the risk of adverse events following immunisation, healthcare practitioners should be aware of contraindications and comply with the manufacturers' precautionary advice before administering yellow fever vaccine [5].

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Source: ECDC: Rapid Risk Assessment On Introduction Of Yellow Fever To Europe